Skip to flight search Skip to main content

Which Airlines are Blocking Middle Seats?

Where from?

Where to?

Departure date

Return date

Passengers

1 Adult, Economy/Coach

Which Airlines are Blocking Middle Seats?

Alternative Airlines is an online travel agent that offers a fast, easy and convenient flight booking experience. Tickets are available from over 600 airlines with the option to pay with over 40 airlines across 160+ currencies. Airlines available on our website include well-known international airlines and niche domestic carriers.

You can find flights from big international cities to small remote destinations. Simply use our search form to find your next flight, fill in the departing and arriving airport, travel dates and the cabin class you wish to fly in. Then we'll show you all the options.

Why did airlines Block Middle Seats?

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines were taking measures to minimise contact onboard as passengers are worried about onboard transmission. As a result, airlines in the world were blocking the middle seats as well as many other safety measures to keep passengers and cabin crew safe from the transmission.

However, as travel is slowly recovering, many airlines have started selling middle seats. As of 2022, the majority of airlines now sell middle seats again.

Which Airlines Blocked Middle Seats?

American Airlines

American Airlines are no longer blocking the middle seats as flights are booked to near capacity. During the pandemic, passengers were able to switch their seats for free if the flight was reaching capacity.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines was the last U.S. airline to block middle seats to limit capacity for the benefit of the passengers and the crews onboard. This safety measure had been in place since April 2020 for Delta Airlines but despite opening up the middle seats again, other measures are still in place to keep passengers safe, including disinfecting the cabin. Middle seats are now available to book.

United Airlines

United Airlines never never initiated blocking the middle seat. The airline maintained other protocols, including notifying passengers when the flight was fairly full, to give passengers a chance to switch their seats for free. Middle seats are now available to book.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines discontinued blocking middle seats from the start of December 2020. Similar to United Airlines and American Airlines, passengers were be notified if the flight was getting full. If the passenger wanted to, he/she can change to another flight that was less full. Middle seats are now available to book.

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

FAQs

Which airlines are blocking middle seats in the US 2022?

As of May 2022, no U.S airline is blocking middle seats. Airlines continue to keep passengers safe by disinfecting the cabin. Each airline will have its own policy to ensure passengers are safe and confident when flying. Depending on the airline passengers are travelling with, there may also be restrictions on the in-flight services provided too. Please check each airline policy to understand more.

Why did airlines block middle seats?

During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, airlines took the initiative to block middle seats early on the pandemic because there were concerns about the spread of the virus onboard the cabin, despite the chances of onboard transmission being very low. This was to maintain physical distance between passengers and crews onboard and at the airport, alongside many other measures too.

Where can I see more flight information about my airline?

We display details about the onboard experience of each airline in the search results, including the service provided, amenities available and any Coronavirus measures in place. Simply fill in our search form to start looking for your next flight.